The tabloids painted a portrait of a playboy, but what was James Hunt really like? Rob Widdows speaks to those who knew him and trawls his interview archive for the full picture

Niki Lauda and reigning world champion James Hunt at the US Grand Prix West, Long Beach in 1977 – but it would be Lauda’s year

GRAND PRIX PHOTO, BERNARD CAHIER /GETTY IMAGES, DPPI

JOCHEN MASS

McLAREN TEAM-MATE 1976-77

“I’d just come to grips with Emerson Fittipaldi when James arrived at McLaren. He was younger than me but he’d matured a lot, won a grand prix, and he was the British driver in a British team, so it wasn’t easy. When he was within sight of the championship in ’76 he became very intense and hyped up, so uptight that he used to pee up against the fence in front of the spectators before the start.

“There was always a mutual respect between us. I could match him sometimes but he trusted me to back him up at the last race at Fuji in 1976. One story, I think, typifies both James and the times in which we lived. At the Spanish GP in ’76 we went to lunch with King Juan Carlos and he asked if we’d like to see the cheetahs he kept. James’s girlfriend ‘Hottie’ [Jane Birbeck] went in with them first and a cheetah clawed at her skirt to reveal an early version of a string thong. James called out, ‘Bet you’re glad you’re wearing your knickers today.’ The King laughed but Queen Sophia was not so amused.

“James was wild. He never calmed down completely and I think there was a reckless streak that came between him and his well-being. As a driver he was masterful and brave. When he came to McLaren from Hesketh he was used to a one-car team, getting his own way, so he covered his cards, never gave anything away. I liked him. He was fun but your team-mate is your enemy. If he’s quicker in the same car there’s no excuses left.”

LORD HESKETH

HESKETH TEAM OWNER

“James was not only a quick racing driver, he was also tough; extremely competitive. The first win is always the best and the International Trophy at Silverstone in 1974 remains a great memory. He was on pole by a mile then he dropped right down the field when the gear lever broke on the first lap. Then he came back, passing everyone, and taking Ronnie Peterson with two wheels on the grass at Woodcote to win.